Abstract

  Background & Aims : P atients with physical chronic diseases have mental and emotional problems such as depression. In general, about 5-10% of patients suffer major depression even in primary care process. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in depressed leper patients.

  Materials & Methods : This q uasi experimental study was conducted on two groups and in three measurement stages. 32 men and women available patients with leprosy in Tabriz Baba Baghi skin researches center participated in this study. To collect data, Beck depression and automatic thoughts questionnaires were used before (pretest), during (post-test 1), after (post-test 2), and one month after the intervention (post-test 3). The cognitive therapy intervention in Experimental group was conducted in 20 meetings - once a week for two hours . Covariance analysis was used to analyze the data.

  Results : Results showed that depression of leper patients after, and one month after the intervention decreased meaningfully (in 0. 05 levels).

  Conclusions : Cognitive therapy has an important role in decreasing depression in leper patients and continuity of that effectiveness observed at least one month after the intervention.

  SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2013: 24(1): 74 ISSN: 1027-3727